1980 ALP Campaign Advertisement: Raise The Standard

The ALP’s campaign slogan for the 1980 federal election was “Raise the Standard”.

This is video and audio of a record produced by the ALP and released during the campaign. It was published on YouTube by the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

The recording includes the ALP’s campaign jingle and remarks by Opposition Leader Bill Hayden and NSW Premier Neville Wran.

The Liberal-National Country Party government of Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser was re-elected to its third and final term at the election, suffering a net loss of 12 seats to finish with 74 in a 125-seat House of Representatives.

The ALP, led by Bill Hayden, secured a net gain of 13 seats to finish with 51. The ALP achieved a two-party swing of 4.2% against the coalition. It increased its primary vote by 5.5% to 45.15%, a significant improvement on its 1975 and 1977 performance.

Bob Hawke entered the parliament at this election. He went on to replace Hayden as ALP leader in February 1983 and won the March 1983 election. Hayden was the Minister for Social Security and Treasurer in the Whitlam governments (1972-75). He served as Foreign Minister under Hawke (1983-88) and as Governor-General (1989-1996).